Saddletree with swingable stirrup strap support



Oct. 27, 1964 E. H. BOHLIN 3,153,887-

SADDLETREE WITH SWINGABLE STIRRUP STRAP SUPPORT Filed Jan. 22, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet l Eon/02D H. BOHLIN INVENTOR.

v/QAVAW/ ATTORNEVS Oct. 27, 1964 E. H. BOHLIN 3,

SADDLETREE WITH SWINGABLE STIRRUP STRAP SUPPORT Filed Jan. 22, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Eon p20 H. BOHLIN INVENTOR.

WMn M ATTORNEVS E. H. BOHLIN Oct. 27, 1964 SADDLETREE WITH SWINGABLE STIRRUP STRAP SUPPORT 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 22, 1963 010 020 HQBOHL/N IN VEN TOR.

H M m kw ATTQIZNEYS United States Patent Office 3,153,887 Patented 9st. 27, 1954 Edward H. Bohiin, Los Angeies, Calif. (931 N. Highiand Ava, iioilywood 38, Calif.) Filed Jan. 22, 1963, Ser. No. 253,219 9 Ciaims. (ill. 54-37) This invention has to do with the construction of riding saddles.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved riding saddle construction which can be economically fabricated and wmch results in a relatively lightweight durable saddle.

Another object is to provide a novel saddletree which insures the utmost comfort for both the horse and rider and in particular one which is low and yet does not touch or rest upon the backbone or high withers of the horse.

More particularly it is an object to provide a novel saddletree construction embodying new and improved means for supporting the stirrup straps in a manner such that they can swing forward through a relatively large are from the normal depending substantially vertical position. In this connection it is a feature of the invention to provide novel stirrup strap supports which are so designed that both the supports themselves and the stirrup straps are isolated from contact with the horse on which the saddle may be mounted.

A further object is to provide a saddietree formed of a plurality of novel, lightweight, strong durable sections joined together in a novel manner to provide an exceptionally strong unit.

These and other objects will be apparent from the drawings and the following description. Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a saddletree embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational View of the saddletree of FIG. 1, but on a larger scale, with the rigging and stirrup straps added and the seat plate in section;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the saddletree with the seat plate broken away and a portion of the stirrup straps and rigging added;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary isometric view on a larger scale of a portion of the stirrup strap support bar and adjacent parts;

PEG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 77 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of the main parts of the saddletree;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 99 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 1tiiti of FIG. 2.

More particularly describing the invention, numeral l1 generally designates a saddletree embodying a saddlebow or swell 12, two generally parallel tree bars 14, and a cantle 15. A born 16 of metal is shown med to the swell. The various parts of the tree are preferably made of a Fiberglas-reinforced plastics.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 8, each tree bar 14 is made up of a lower member 2% and an upper member 21. Each of these is contoured or shaped as shown in the drawings, the lower member being dished and provided with an upstanding marginal rim or wall 22 having an internal ledge 23 upon which the upper member rests. The latter is relatively flat. The rim is interrupted or recessed at 24 to accommodate a stirrup strap 25 as will later become apparent. Bosses 26 having interiorly threaded metal inserts (not shown) receive mounting screws 27 to secure the parts together.

upper member 21 of each tree bar is provided with a raised mounting section or plateau 30 to which the parts making up the saddlebow or swell are secured. This section includes a ridge 31 and, rearwardly of this, a step 32 provided with a hole 33. Rearwardly of the plateau 39, the upper member 21 is provided with a raised stirrup strap hanger bar mounting portion 35 having a recess 36 provided with a bore 37. As will later appear, a stirrup strap hanger bar 4i? is mounted between the step 32 and recess 36.

The saddlebow or swell 12 includes a front member 42 and a back member 43. Member 42 is formed to provide a rearwardly extending inner wall 45 and 2m outer and rearwardly extending outer wall dd which together define a space or cavity 4-7. Flat, angularly disposed sections 2-5 of the inner wall fit against the mounting sections SE of the upper members of the tree bars, respectively, and are secured by screws 43, the latter being received in bosses 2-5 of the lower members of the tree bars and passing through suitable openings in the upper members. The back member 43 of the saddlebow or swell is shaped to complement the front member, having a main wall portion 51 and forwardly projecting marginal walls 52 and 5'3 which have stepped edges 52' and 53, respectively, to partially fit within and mate with the rear edges of the front member. Mounting flanges 55 are provided on member 43 and the part is secured in place by screws 56 and 57. The latter also passes through and secures the front end of the bar .63. Additional screws 58 serve to secure the parts 4-2. and 43 together. The latter are provided with complementary horn sections 5 and 60, respectively, which project upwardly and are adapted to accommodate the metal horn 15 which fits thereover and is secured by screws 61. To strengthen the construction, a plastics may be poured through a hole 16' in the horn to fiil the interior space.

The cantle 15 is also preferably formed of two members and each of these is dished so that when they are joined they provide a hollow construction as in the case of the tree bars and the saddlebow. The rear member 64 of the cantle is formed with an internal marginal ledge 65 against which the forward member 66 fits. Screws 67 secure the parts. The rear member is secured to the tree bars by screws 7% while the forward member is also secured to the bars by screws 71. Adjustment of the position of the cantle is achieved by providing several sets of threaded bosses 25 for the mounting screws which extend into selected ones thereof.

A saddleplate 74, which is curved both laterally and longitudinally, extends between the swell and cantle and is secured by screws 7 5 at each end.

It is a particular feature of the invention that the stirrup straps 25 me In unted in a manner such that they can swing forward freely and at the same time are so supported that they do not touch or bring any pressure to bear upon the horses back. To accomplish this, it will be apparent that each tree bar is formed with a channel-like recess or depression 8 9 which is defined by the raised stirrup bar mounting portion 35 and by the mounting section 3% for the saddlebow. This latter portion is formed to provide an upright rear surface or wall 73 which, except for a short inner section 78a, extends laterally and forwardly so that the channel diverges in a direction toward the outer edge of the tree bar. The stirrup strap hanger bar 43 is provided across the channel and this has its forward end mounted on the step 32 and its other end mounted in the recess 36 provided in the portion 35. The bar is secured by screws 57 and 82. The bar 40 is shown as made of two metal straps 83 which are formed between their ends to provide wider sections 83 so curved that together they define a teardrop-like shape in cross section. A leather sleeve 84 is secured around the bar and the saddle strap 25 is looped about this. Preferably the bar 40 is slightly curved from end to end to provide a somewhat longitudinally convex inner surface to facilitate free swinging of the stirrup strap. Also the bar 40 is mounted at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the saddle, as best seen in FIG. 4. 7

By referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, it will be apparent that the stirrups can be swung forwardly a considerable amount until the stirrup strap lies against the surface 78 of the saddlebow mounting portion. In these figures, rigging 90 is shown applied to the tree bars. Normally the stirrup straps would hang about vertically as shown in full lines in the drawings. Also by reference to FIGS. 3 and 6, it will be apparent that the stirrup straps are supported laterally outward of the inner edges of the tree bars and thus the horse is completely protected from any contact with the straps.

Although I have illustrated and described a preferred form of my invention, I contemplate that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the following claims. As previously indicated, the parts of the saddletree are preferably made of a Fiberglas-reinforced plastics, and may be molded or otherwise formed. When the individual parts are joined, a suitable solvent or resin may be used to seal the joints and provide smooth outer contours.

I claim:

1. In a riding saddle, a saddletree including a pair of substantially parallel tree bars and a saddlebow at the forward ends thereof, each tree bar being formed to provide a transverse stirrup strap-receiving channel, a stirrup strap hanger bar mounted in each tree bar and extending across the channel thereof intermediate the inner and outer ends of the channel, and a stirrup strap looped around and supported by each said hanger bar.

2. A riding saddle as set forth in claim 1 in which said channels in said tree bars are each characterized by a forward wall which diverges from the rear wall thereof in a forward direction laterally outward of the tree bar wheerby to permit substantial free forward swinging movement of the stirrup straps.

3. In a riding saddle, a saddletree including a pair of substantially parallel tree bars with a saddlebow connecting the same at the front and a cantle connecting the same at the back, an upwardly projecting mounting portion formed on the upper side of each tree bar spaced a short distance rearwardly of the saddlebow, a raised mounting section on each tree bar beneath the saddlebow, said mounting portion and said mounting section defining a stirrup strap-receiving channel, a stirrup strap hanger bar mounted across said channel with its forward end secured to said raised mounting section and its other end secured to said mounting portion, the wall of said mounting section extending in a direction laterally outwardly of the tree bear and forward thereof, and a stirrup strap looped around each hanger bar and lying in the channel, said stirrup straps being swingable forwardly through a relatively large arc.

4. The riding saddle set forth in claim 3 in which said hanger bars diverge with respect to each other in a direction from front to rear of the saddle.

5. The saddle set forth in claim 3 in which a saddleplate is mounted between said saddlebow and said cantle covering said hanger bars.

6. A saddletree formed of a reinforced plastics, comprisin a pair of tree bars, a saddlebow attached to the tree bars, a cantle attached to the tree bars rearwardly of the saddlebow and a saddleplate extending between and attached to said saddlebow and said cantle, said tree bars, saddlebow and cantle each being formed of a complementary pair of parts formed to provide a substantial hollow space therebetween.

7. A saddletree as set forth in claim 6 in which each tree bar comprises a dished lower member having a marginal internal ledge and having a plurality of interiorly threaded bosses, an upper member seated on said ledge, and mounting screws extending through said upper member into the bosses of the lower member.

8. in a sadeietree having a pair of tree bars and a cantle, a saddlebow and horn construction comprising a front saddlebow member secured to said tree bars, a back saddlebow member secured to said tree bars and to said front saddiebow member, said members being formed to provide a hollow saddlebow, an upwardly projecting horn mounting section on each member, and a metal horn secured to said members and receiving said horn mounting sections thereof.

9. In a saddietree, a pair of tree bars, each tree bar comprising a dished lower member and a relatively fiat upper member mounted thereon, said members defining a hollow space in the tree bar from end to end, each said upper member having a raised saddlebow mounting section and a raised stirrup strap mounting bar mounting section rearwardly thereof, a stirrup strap mounting bar mounted on said mounting sections and extending therebetween above the main upper surface of the upper member, a saddlebow mounted on said saddlebow mounting sections, a cantle mounted on said bars rearwardly of said saddlebow, and a seat plate extending between said cantle and saddlebow and covering said bars.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,037,275 4/36 Senderman 5444 2,130,442 9/38 Worcester 5444 2,207,982- 7/40 'Hamley 54-44 2,624,167 1/53 Diaz 5446 2,666,285 1/54 'Diaz 54-44 3,044,234 7/62 Baldwin Q -5444 3,088,259 5/63 Nuzzo 54-44 SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner.

ALDRICH F. MEDBERY, Examiner. 

6. A SADDLETREE FORMED OF A REINFORCED PLASTICS, COMPRISING A PAIR OF TREE BARS, A SADDLEBOW ATTACHED TO THE TREE BARS, A CANTLE ATTACHED TO THE TREE BARS REARWARDLY OF THE SADDLEBOW AND A SADDLEPLATE EXTENDING BETWEEN AND ATTACHED TO SAID SADDLEBOW AND SAID CANTLE, SAID TREE BARS, SADDLEBOW AND CANTLE EACH BEING FORMED OF A COMPLEMENTARY PAIR OF PARTS FORMED TO PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL HOLLOW SPACE THEREBETWEEN. 